The band: Michael Angelakos (voice, keys, piano, synth), Ian Hultquist (synth, voice), Adam Lavinsky (drums, samples), Thom Plasse (bass, synth), Ayad Al Adhamy (synth, sample, voice)
The name: Angelakos was taking a class in American fashion at Emerson College and stumbled upon the term passion pit: slang for drive-in movie theaters where kids would make out.
The sound: Euphoric-electro-pop with weighty lyrics. “I really like pretty music, but most of the songs are not happy,” said Angelakos. “It’s important to me to have that dichotomy. I love that lift where you can make euphoric pop, but talk about things that can make you sad.”
The album: Angelakos created the five-song “Chunk of Change” as a Valentine’s Day present for his girlfriend. The gift about how she puts up with him was a month late.
The back story: After his girlfriend had time to enjoy her present, Angelakos shared his creation with friends and fellow students at Emerson’s
Cabaret Room. Berklee College of Music grads Ian Hultquist and Adam Lavinsky approached him after his set and offered to expand his one-man band. Passion Pit grew again with the addition of two other friends from school, bassist Thom Plasse and keyboardist Ayad Al Adhamy.
“I never thought of starting an electronic band,” said Angelakos. “I
was mostly into slowcore and pop. I would always cover a Randy Newman song. He’s a huge influence.”
The show: Passion Pit plays tonight, with Comanchero, Everyday Visuals and Clouds, at the Harpoon Summer Session at the Harpoon Brewery. The band also performs live in WERS-FM’s studio Monday at 2 p.m., and takes the stage at Great Scott, with These New Puritans and All These Kings, later that night.
The music: Download songs from Passion Pit’s debut CD “Chunk of Change,” at bostonherald.com/entertainment.
Passion pit: Ian Hultquist, Ayad Al Adhamy, Michael Angelakos, Adam Lavinsky and Thom Plasse, from left.
